Some fine instinct that Rome must have bequeathed to us caused nearly everyone to turn and look at them there was a subtle feeling that two gladiators had met in the arena. Two or three Give and Takes with tight coat sleeves drew nearer.
One moment, Mr. OSullivan, said Dempsey. I hope youre enjoying yourself. Where did you say you live?
The two gladiators were well matched. Dempsey had, perhaps, ten pounds of weight to give away. The OSullivan had breadth with quickness. Dempsey had a glacial eye, a dominating slit of a mouth, an indestructible jaw, a complexion like a belles and the coolness of a champion. The visitor showed more fire in his contempt and less control over his conspicuous sneer. They were enemies by the law written when the rocks were molten. They were each too splendid, too mighty, too incomparable to divide pre-eminence. One only must survive.
I live on Grand, said OSullivan, insolently; and no trouble to find me at home. Where do you live?
Dempsey ignored the question.
You say your names OSullivan, he went on. Well, Big Mike says he never saw you before.
Lots of things he never saw, said the favourite of the hop.
As a rule, went on Dempsey, huskily sweet, OSullivans in this district know one another. You escorted one of our lady members here, and we want a chance to make good. If youve got a family tree lets see a few historical OSullivan buds come out on it. Or do you want us to dig it out of you by the roots?
Suppose you mind your own business, suggested OSullivan, blandly.
Dempseys eye brightened. He held up an inspired forefinger as though a brilliant idea had struck him.
Ive got it now, he said cordially. It was just a little mistake. You aint no OSullivan. You are a ring-tailed monkey. Excuse us for not recognising you at first.
Ive got it now, he said cordially. It was just a little mistake. You aint no OSullivan. You are a ring-tailed monkey. Excuse us for not recognising you at first.
OSullivans eye flashed. He made a quick movement, but Andy Geoghan was ready and caught his arm.
Dempsey nodded at Andy and William McMahan, the secretary of the club, and walked rapidly toward a door at the rear of the hall. Two other members of the Give and Take Association swiftly joined the little group. Terry OSullivan was now in the hands of the Board of Rules and Social Referees. They spoke to him briefly and softly, and conducted him out through the same door at the rear.
This movement on the part of the Clover Leaf members requires a word of elucidation. Back of the association hall was a smaller room rented by the club. In this room personal difficulties that arose on the ballroom floor were settled, man to man, with the weapons of nature, under the supervision of the board. No lady could say that she had witnessed a fight at a Clover Leaf hop in several years. Its gentlemen members guaranteed that.
So easily and smoothly had Dempsey and the board done their preliminary work that many in the hall had not noticed the checking of the fascinating OSullivans social triumph. Among these was Maggie. She looked about for her escort.
Smoke up! said Rose Cassidy. Wasnt you on? Demps Donovan picked a scrap with your Lizzie-boy, and theyve waltzed out to the slaughter room with him. Hows my hair look done up this way, Mag?
Maggie laid a hand on the bosom of her cheesecloth waist.
Gone to fight with Dempsey! she said, breathlessly. Theyve got to be stopped. Dempsey Donovan cant fight him. Why, hell hell kill him!
Ah, what do you care? said Rosa. Dont some of em fight every hop?
But Maggie was off, darting her zig-zag way through the maze of dancers. She burst through the rear door into the dark hall and then threw her solid shoulder against the door of the room of single combat. It gave way, and in the instant that she entered her eye caught the scene the Board standing about with open watches; Dempsey Donovan in his shirt sleeves dancing, light-footed, with the wary grace of the modern pugilist, within easy reach of his adversary; Terry OSullivan standing with arms folded and a murderous look in his dark eyes. And without slacking the speed of her entrance she leaped forward with a scream leaped in time to catch and hang upon the arm of OSullivan that was suddenly uplifted, and to whisk from it the long, bright stiletto[13] that he had drawn from his bosom.
The knife fell and rang upon the floor. Cold steel drawn in the rooms of the Give and Take Association! Such a thing had never happened before. Every one stood motionless for a minute. Andy Geoghan kicked the stiletto with the toe of his shoe curiously, like an antiquarian who has come upon some ancient weapon unknown to his learning.
And then OSullivan hissed something unintelligible between his teeth. Dempsey and the board exchanged looks. And then Dempsey looked at OSullivan without anger, as one looks at a stray dog, and nodded his head in the direction of the door.
The back stairs, Giuseppi, he said, briefly. Somebodyll pitch your hat down after you.